Popular neighbourhoods in Bali

Seminyak

Seminyak, north of Kuta and Legian, is an upscale resort area with picturesque beaches perfect for waterfront horse rides, and exciting waves for surfing. It’s great for adventurous families and romantic travel companions. Make sure to check out the beautiful oceanfront ceremonies at the Petitenget Temple as well. The area is also home to Bali’s premiere shopping district, with small designer boutiques, like Balifu and Milo’s, selling the newest in couture fashion.

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Ubud

Ubud, in central Bali, is convenient for visiting the gorgeous temples of the province—experience the serene waterfront dances at Puri Saren Agung, the hot springs of Tirta Empul, or massive stone monuments of Puri Gunung Kawi. For natural excursions, explore the area’s rolling green valleys on the serene Campuhan Ridge Walk or visit the playful primates at the Monkey Forest. You’ll also find many museums showcasing a mix of traditional and modern Balinese art, along with the unique Blanco Renaissance Museum—the former home of Spanish artist Antonio Blanco, where you can see his surreal, entrancing work.

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Kuta

In Kuta, south of Ubud in the middle of Bali's southern coast, you’ll find blue-water beaches—popular for surfing and great for learning how to surf. Luxury abounds as well, with many spas offering massage treatments at competitive prices. There are two nightlife areas. Jalan Legian is where you go to party until sunrise—the energy flows freely at bars like The Bounty, made to look like a ship from the outside, and the Apache Reggae Bar, where there’s great live music every night. Poppies Lane II, with laid-back bars like the Bagus Pub, is ideal for more subdued revelry.

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Sanur

Laid-back Sanur is a family-friendly resort area along the eastern coast of Bali. The former fishing village is home to some of the island’s most relaxed beaches, where you can stroll or bike the paved pathway stretching along the shore. Beyond the path, you’ll spot the area’s historic resort hotels mingling with casual cafes, international restaurants, and chic cocktail bars. Cultural attractions abound here, from the soaring, oversized Balinese kites at the annual International Kite Festival to Bali’s most ancient artifact, the Prasati Blanjong stone pillar at the Blanjong Temple.

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Canggu

In southern Bali, Canggu is a beach village heavily populated with tourists and expatriates. Villas are scattered throughout this spot surrounded by deep green rice paddies. You’ll notice its trendy side, too—there are burger joints, modern coffee shops, and rustic roadside cafes with health-conscious menus. Canggu’s beaches offer excellent surfing conditions, and you can easily rent a surfboard at a nearby shop. Echo Beach instructors are there to lend a hand to beginners. The Sunday Market is perfect for sampling local fruits, vegetables, and fresh fish. You’ll also find jewelry, artwork, and other handmade goods at this weekly event.

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Jimbaran

The Jimbaran shoreline is framed by plush, tree-shaded sands. On the southwestern coast, this is one of Bali’s most pristine spots. Amid the tranquillity, you’ll discover hidden treasures, like sunsets visible from the cliff-top Uluwatu Temple, long-tailed macaques lounging roadside, and statuesque rock formations along secluded Pandawa Beach. Once a fishing village, Jimbaran Bay is still a hotspot for seafood. Sellers at the lively Jimbaran wet market hawk their fresh catches, but you can also visit the area’s many five-star restaurants and beachside cafes for everything from grilled snapper to baked scallops to full lobster dinners.

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Denpasar

Densely populated Denpasar, along the southern coast, is Bali’s capital city. It’s expectedly frenetic, with a strong business district and clustered shopping markets boasting everything from vibrant textiles and handmade wares to artwork and live birds. If you’re interested in the area’s heritage, delve into the collection of archaeological relics at the Bali Museum. Denpasar is as modern as its neighboring villages are quaint, but this brisk city still offers pockets of traditional Balinese charm at the renowned Sakenan Temple and the peaceful Ngurah Rai Mangrove Forest. Here, you can enjoy the scenery and solitude from the forest’s impressive watchtowers.

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Legian

Legian, north from bustling Kuta, boasts some of Bali’s most gorgeous and peaceful beaches. Along the white-sands, look for “warungs”—vendors selling cheap local specialties like steaming plates of fried rice and noodles—or head to one of the many restaurants offering cocktails and sunset views. At the end of the day, mingle with the local regulars and catch a live music performance at The Jaya Pub or dance to pulsing club-beats beachside at De Ja Vu.

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Nusa Dua

Nusa Dua, southeast of Kuta, is where you’ll find spectacular beaches, like Geger Beach, and magnificent sights, like Water Blow—a cliff overlooking the Indian Ocean where the waves crash upwards, reaching higher above the peak as the tide intensifies. The crystal-blue waters here are perfect for snorkeling, surfing, or parasailing, and the Nusa Dua Golf and Country Club offers pro-level golf. The Pasifika Museum offers one of Bali’s best collections of local art, with lovely pieces by artists from Southeast Asia and the many European masters who called the region home, like Paul Gauguin.

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Kerobokan

Along the southwest coast, Kerobokan is a quiet town located between Canggu and upscale Seminyak. It’s known primarily for Kerobokan Prison, whose confines have held some of history’s most notorious inmates. Pleasant activities abound here. You’ll notice a distinct difference at sundown, when the stalls at Lio Square’s lively night market hawk local delicacies and goods. Splash Waterpark and Strike Ten Pin Bowling offer fun options for kids. If you’re there for the history, visit the 15th-century Petitenget Temple, whose jungle-like surroundings, intricate architecture, and proximity to the sea make it a blissfully serene destination.

Lembongan Island

Lembongan Island is a primarily pedestrian spot off Bali’s southeast coast. Footpaths offer sunset views and unspoiled glimpses of the sea crashing against the shore. The island is known for its natural attractions—you’ll encounter seaweed farms, feel the fine white sands on sleepy beaches, and even take a tour of the dense Mangrove Forest. You can enjoy surfing and scuba diving on the crisp turquoise waters around the island. Take in this view from the hilltop Pura Puncak Sari, the island’s largest temple. You’ll also find diverse eateries, from bargain cafes to chic hillside bars to lavish Indonesian restaurants.

Hotel prices in Lembongan Island

Lovina

Lovina, with its black sand beaches and calm waters, is a quiet area along the northeastern Bali coast. Several villages pepper the region, including the bustling town center of Kalibukbuk. Beneath the shadow of the famed Dolphin Statue in Binaria Square, you can enjoy iced fruit, satays, and cakes from street vendors. Don’t be surprised if you run into a traditional cockfight while you’re here. Nightlife is equally serene, and the fishing boats dotting the water at sundown cast a vibrant glow over the sea. Adventure seekers can join a dolphin-sighting excursion or even rappel into a tucked away canyon.

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Candi Dasa

Villages, snorkeling, history: Candi Dasa has it all. Once a fishermen’s village, this tourist-friendly spot on Bali’s eastern shores is renowned for Pura Candi Dasa, a hillside temple where devotees come to worship Shiva and Hariti. If you’re snorkeling, the clear, azure waters provide unfettered views of coral, colorful fish, and striking undersea life. The area’s highlight is the ethereal Lotus Lagoon, which is dotted with spectacular pink and deep fuchsia lotuses—you can even sit and dip your toes into the water. Learn the area’s history during Mekare-kare, an annual event honoring the villagers’ ancestors and the God of War.